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Israel Says It's Ready to Strike Iran 'For a Third Time'
Defense Minister Israel Katz declared on Thursday that Israel remains ready to resume military operations against Iran, vowing to strike with "even greater force" if necessary to neutralize threats.
Heightened tensions persist following prior rounds of conflict between Israel and Iran, with the latest campaign marking Israel's second against Iran following a 12-day war in June 2025.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized at a pilots' graduation ceremony that the Israeli Air Force can reach targets from Yemen to Iran, asserting the Iranian axis is weakened.
New fighting between the United States and Iran has raised fears of a return to full-scale war, threatening stability established after an April ceasefire and June agreement to end hostilities.
Katz stressed the military is equipped to conduct independent Israeli strikes "even for a third time" to remove ongoing threats, while acknowledging the broader campaign against Iran remains unfinished.
The U.S. President met with the Israeli Prime Minister on Thursday evening to inform him of the American "last movements" in the Gulf. Earlier, the Israeli Army Chief of Staff claimed that "significant operations" were to be planned in Iran.
"The army is ready and on alert for a resumption of fighting, in order to restore air superiority and strike again (...) in Iran, to eliminate threats, including a third time if necessary," said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday.